A Passport serves as an official document issued by a government required by an individual to travel across national boundaries. It contains identification details of an individual, including his nationality, full name, photograph, place, date of birth, etc.

In our country, the validity of a passport stands for ten years. And once the validity expires, such an individual cannot travel across national boundaries without renewal of the passport. The renewal application is to be filed through the website of Passport Seva (Ministry of External Affairs). The focus of this article is to unfold the Passport Renewal Process in India.

Which actions are required for filing the Application for Renewal of Passport in India?

For renewal of passport, the applicant needs to visit the Passport Seva Online portal and follow a simple procedure laid down below:

Step 1: Register through the Passport Seva Online Portal for filing the Online Form.

Step 2: From Home Page, select the "Register Now" option.

Step 3: After registration is done, the applicant with the registered Login ID can do Passport Seva online portal login.

Step 4: Select the option of "Apply for Fresh /Re-issue of Passport".

Step 5: Provide the details required in the form and submit the form.

Step 6: After form submission, the applicant must make the online payment and take an appointment by selecting "Pay and Schedule Appointment".

• Payment through Online mode is compulsory before making the appointments.
• Online Payment can be made through SBI Bank Challan, Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard and Visa), Internet Banking (State Bank of India (SBI) Associate Banks and Other Banks),

Step 7: After the payment and appointment process, the applicant must take the printout of the receipt by selecting "Print Application Receipt".

• The Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number will be mentioned on the receipt.
• The applicant can also show the SMS instead of the print copy of the Application Receipt at the passport office.

Step 8: The applicant must visit the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office as per the scheduled appointment, and he must carry all the original documents.

What is the Indian Passport Renewal Fee?

The Passport Seva portal also has an option to calculate fees for the services availed by the applicant. The Passport renewal fee is:

What are the essential set of documents for Passport Renewal?

• Original Passport (expired or to be expired)
• Copy of first and last two pages of the passport (Self-attested)
• Copy of the ECR/Non-ECR page (Self-attested)
• Copy of the page of observation, if any (Self-attested)
• Copy of the validity extension page to be Self-attested (if any, in case of Short Validity Passport
• Documents as required to eliminate the cause of issuance of Short Validity Passport.

Other Important Considerations:

• A recent passport size photograph with white background is required for minor applicants (below the age of four (04) years)
• The applicant needs to resubmit the application form if he fails to visit the Passport Seva Kendra within 90 days from the date of submission of the online form.